Encoding & Decoding Tools
Encode, decode, hash, and inspect data with CodeTidy's free browser-based tools. Base64, URL encoding, cryptographic hashes, JWT tokens, and HTML entities.
Base64 Encoder / Decoder
Encode and decode Base64 strings instantly.
URL Encoder / Decoder
Encode and decode URL components safely.
Hash Generator (MD5/SHA)
Generate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512 hashes.
JWT Decoder
Decode and inspect JSON Web Token header, payload, and claims.
HTML Entity Encoder / Decoder
Encode special characters to HTML entities or decode them back.
Image to Base64 Converter
Convert images to Base64 encoded strings. Output as Data URI, CSS, HTML, or raw Base64.
String Escape / Unescape Tool
Escape and unescape strings for JSON, JavaScript, HTML, XML, URL, CSV, SQL, and regex.
ASCII / Binary / Hex Converter
Convert text between ASCII, binary, hexadecimal, octal, and decimal representations instantly.
Protobuf Decoder — Wire Format Viewer
Decode Protocol Buffer binary data without a .proto file. View field numbers, wire types, and values from Base64 or hex input.
Encoding Detective — Mojibake Repair
Detect and repair encoding issues (mojibake) in text. Fixes UTF-8 read as Latin-1, double-encoded UTF-8, and garbled characters.
Common Encoding Use Cases
- Base64 — encode binary data (images, files) for embedding in JSON, emails, or data URIs
- URL Encoding — safely include special characters in URLs and query parameters
- Hashing — generate MD5, SHA-256, and SHA-512 checksums for file integrity and password storage
- JWT Decoding — inspect JSON Web Token headers, payloads, and expiration claims
- HTML Entities — encode
<,>,&for safe HTML display
Which Encoding Tool Do I Need?
Each encoding format solves a different problem. Here's how to pick the right one:
- "I need to embed a file/image in JSON or HTML" → Base64 — converts binary data to text-safe ASCII. Use for data URIs, embedding images in CSS, or including binary payloads in JSON APIs
- "I need to put special characters in a URL" → URL Encoder — converts spaces, ampersands, and other reserved characters to percent-encoded format (
%20,%26). Essential for query parameters and API calls - "I need to display user input safely in HTML" → HTML Entity Encoder — converts
<,>,&, and quotes to HTML entities, preventing XSS and rendering issues - "I need to verify file integrity or generate checksums" → Hash Generator — produces one-way digests (MD5, SHA-256, SHA-512). Use SHA-256 for file checksums and integrity verification
- "I need to inspect a JWT token from an API" → JWT Decoder — splits a JWT into header, payload, and signature. Shows expiration time, issuer, and custom claims without needing the signing key
Key distinction: Base64 and URL encoding are reversible — they're for formatting, not security. Hashing is one-way — you can't recover the original input. None of these are encryption. For actual data protection, use proper encryption libraries.
Other Developer Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is encoding in web development?
- Encoding transforms data from one format to another for safe transmission or storage. Common examples include Base64 encoding for binary data, URL encoding for query parameters, and HTML entity encoding for special characters in web pages.
- Is encoding the same as encryption?
- No. Encoding is a reversible transformation used for data formatting — anyone can decode it. Encryption uses a secret key to protect data so only authorized parties can decrypt it. Base64 is encoding, not encryption.
- Are these tools safe for sensitive data?
- Yes. All tools run entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server, making them safe for encoding API keys, tokens, and other sensitive strings.